Corral Bluffs Open Space

Corral Bluffs Open Space is a Trails, Open Space and Parks “TOPS” property located east of Colorado Springs consisting of over 700 acres. It is a rare, rugged, and beautiful landform running along both the north and south sides of US Highway 94. At a slightly higher elevation than the surrounding plains, Corral Bluffs provides a unique geographic perspective, featuring a foothills type environment even though it is about 15 miles from the Rocky Mountain foothills.

This amazing fossiliferous site holds the secrets to how the globe recovered from a major catastrophe, the die-off of the dinosaurs and the first million years of mammals. With expansive vistas, a multitude of wildlife, native flora, and geology like no other in Colorado - it’s worth a visit!

However, because it is undeveloped and subject to important scientific research, it’s only available via guided tours. Our friends group the Corral Bluffs Alliance “CoBA” offers these tours on a scheduled basis. Gather 6+ hikers and plan for a 3+ hour trip back in time through very unusual terrain. Whether you are part of a church group, scout troop, family reunion, or a school classroom, CoBA customizes hikes to meet your needs. Contact CoBA to schedule a visit today. Hikes are available every month of the year; moonlight/full-moon hikes are only available in winter months.

ABOUT CoBA

CoBA is an alliance of concerned citizens formed with the focus of protecting the Corral Bluffs area and the adjacent Jimmy Camp Creek. CoBA was founded after a long fought battle with El Paso County to keep Corral Bluffs from becoming a dirt bike park. CoBA’s efforts resulted in the preservation of Corral Bluffs by it becoming a designated TOPS property. CoBA works with the City of Colorado Springs through its Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department to secure additional land and seeks to have this historically rich area available for future generations. CoBA members’ participate in activities designed to protect, preserve and enhance the Jimmy Camp Regional Park and this Open Space property.

Why Visit

“This area is regionally significant because its extensive natural outcrops are the best exposures of Late Cretaceous and Early Paleocene strata in the Denver Basin. It likely represents one of the top 20 sites in the world for the preservation of the first 1 million years of the age of mammals”.

Also, the Corral Bluffs has been designated by the State of Colorado as a Colorado Natural Area. Established by statute in 1977, the Colorado Natural Areas Program is a statewide program focused on the recognition and protection of areas that contain at least one unique or high-quality natural feature of statewide significance. The Natural Areas Program was unanimously reauthorized by the Colorado Legislature in 2004, and the Natural Areas Council was reauthorized in 2014.

A few examples of how this designation helps Corral Bluffs is by

recognizing and promoting outstanding environmental stewardship,

enhancing awareness of the conservation values of this area to decision makers and users, and

supporting extraordinary examples of rare species and their habitat, special geologic features, fossils, and representative ecosystems within Colorado.